Matchup
The defending Canada West champion 'Birds are heading out on their first road trip of the season for a pair of games in Calgary this weekend. UBC (1-1-0-0) will take on the Dinos (1-0-0-1) Friday at 6:00 PM PST, followed by a Saturday afternoon tilt at 1:00 PM PST.
Head Coach
Graham Thomas welcomes the opportunity a road trip provides the fresh faces and veterans alike.
"It's been good opening at home and not having a lot of travel, but it's time for a road trip. We're itching to get on the road - it's always a great team builder. With our injuries right now all the new players are able to come along on the road trip, so it'll be good for the group."
Last year, the Thunderbirds swept the season series against the Dinos - earning four wins with a combined 18 goals scored over the four games, while allowing just 6 goals against.
Last Action
UBC split their two game set with the Manitoba Bisons a weekend ago - dropping the home opener 5-4, before turning things around for a 4-1 win in game two.
Coach Thomas says it was important for the T-Birds to get a victory under their belt against a solid Bisons squad.
"That's a really good hockey team in Manitoba. Any team can win on any night. You look across the board last weekend - some teams won in overtime - but everybody split on the opening weekend. That shows the strength of the Canada West and how competitive it is."
Calgary picked up a win and a double overtime loss in their home-and-home series with Lethbridge to start the 2017-2018 campaign.
By the Numbers
37.5% – although it's early, the T-Bird powerplay is clicking at the highest efficiency in the Canada West (going 3 for 8 during opening weekend). Coach Thomas says his team found success in keeping it simple.
12 – the number of regular season road wins by the 'Birds in 14 road games last season.
Players to Watch
Celine Tardif – (#7, D) – the T-Bird captain made her presence felt on the scoresheet to start the season - tallying two goals against the Bisons in the home opener.
Jaedon Cooke – (#98, F) – in her second year of eligibility, the Manitoba product has a goal and two assists for UBC in the first two games of the season.
Coach's take
Coach Thomas knows there aren't any easy wins in such a tight league.
"The Dinos will be well prepared and they're well coached. In seeing them, they've got some good young talent and some older veteran players. They're going to be a solid team this year. It should be a good matchup and a good challenge that we're really looking forward to."
